Memphis Grizzlies point guard Jason Williams — the between-the-legs dribbling youngster with the checkered past — has quietly grown into a mature husband, father and basketball player.

Grizzlies' Jason Williams has been frequent visitor to St. Jude Children's Hospital since moving to Memphis.

By Steve Yeater, AP

Williams, 28, has a special interest in today's media opportunity when the Grizzlies and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital announce the opening of the $10 million Memphis Grizzlies House.

The organizations committed $5 million each toward the construction of the facility, which will provide short-term housing for St. Jude patients.

Williams has been a frequent visitor to St. Jude since arriving in Memphis after a 2001 trade between the Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings.

"I started going over not long after I got here," says Williams, who is known more for his bad-boy image than his community service. "I go see them when I can, and it's great to see their faces light up."

Williams, who plans to make financial contributions on his own, says he kept his visits private because he wasn't looking for attention and because "the media is going to treat you good one day and bad the next day."

Williams, 28, has stayed off the police blotter and flourished on the court since joining the Grizzlies, committing fewer turnovers (1.9 a game) and shooting a higher percentage (40.7%) this season than any other time in his career. He works under the tutelage of fellow West Virginia native Jerry West, and Williams' son, Jaxson, 2, was born in Memphis. Williams and his wife, Denika, were married last summer.

"His confidence is higher," says West, president of basketball operations. "Part of that comes from having a coach that has confidence in him. His growth is a tribute to he and (coach) Hubie (Brown)."

Williams is better known as "White Chocolate," the nickname he earned because of his street style of basketball. West says the no-look passes and behind-the-back dribbles don't work in Memphis because he doesn't believe a team can consistently win playing that way.

But Williams, who says he has learned from his mistakes, says "White Chocolate" is still there.

"I'm still the same person," Williams says. "But now I have responsibilities other than just to myself."